Oct 20 1972
From The Space Library
United Nations General Assembly's First Committee concluded debate on peaceful uses of outer space and unanimously adopted resolution approving Committee report. Resolution noted progress in draft treaty on moon, welcomed progress in international cooperation in exploration of outer space, and approved of agreement between U.S. and U.S.S.R. on development of compatible docking equipment for carrying out joint scientific experiments. Draft resolution on preparation of principles for use of satellites for direct broadcasting was endorsed by 68 votes with 12 against and 18 abstentions. Among those against were U.S.S.R. and other nations that favored defeated Soviet draft convention that would ban un- restricted use of satellites for direct TV broadcasting to other states [see Oct. 12 and Nov. 9]. (Tass, FBIS-SOV, 10/25/72, A6; UN Gen Assembly Documents A/8863, A/8864, 11/1/72; NYT, 11/10/72, 16)
Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences announced award of 1972 Nobel Prizes in chemistry and physics to six U.S. citizens. Chemistry prize of more than $100 000 would be shared by National Institutes of Health scientist Dr. Christian B. Anfinsen and Rockefeller Univ. scientists Dr. Stanford Moore and Dr. William H. Stein for "pioneering studies" in enzyme ribonuclease. Dr. Anfinsen's investigations had "provided the answer to an important question concerning the way in which the active enzyme is formed in living cells; Moore and Stein have elucidated important principles related to the biological activity of the enzyme. These properties we generally associate with the concept of life and with living organisms." Physics prize was awarded for theory of superconductivity developed jointly by Dr. John Bardeen of Univ. of Illinois at Urbana, Dr. Leon N. Cooper of Brown Univ., and Dr. John R. Schrieffer of Univ. of Pennsylvania. Superconductivity was phenomenon in which electrical resistance in certain metals vanished when metals were cooled to temperatures near absolute zero (0 kelvins; -459.7°F). (Weinraub, NYT, 10/21/72, 1)
National Academy of Sciences announced that seven-member Chinese scientific delegation would visit U.S. in late November. Delegation, second group of professionals from mainland China to visit U.S. since 1950s, would include specialists in high-energy physics and computer technology. (NASA Release)
Claim that Central Intelligence Agency had "stolen" Soviet Sputnik spacecraft for three hours to examine it while it was on tour in 1958 was included in new book critical of CIA by former CIA agent, Baltimore Sun reported. Book was CIA-The Myth & the Madness, by Patrick J. McGarvey. (B Sun, 10/20/72, Al)
Chen Chu, People's Republic of China delegate to United Nations General Assembly, issued statement denouncing use of name "China" by Formosa government of Chiang Kai-shek during U.N. debate on peaceful uses of outer space: "As from October 1, 1949, the day of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Chiang Kai-shek clique has no right at all to represent China." Formosa government had "usurped" name of China to become party to agreement, treaty, and convention on peaceful uses of outer space. (FBIS-PRC Intl Aff, 10/24/72, A10)
Dr. Harlow Shapley, one of world's leading astronomers, died in Boulder, Colo., at age 86 after long illness. He had been director of Harvard College Observatory from 1921 to 1952 and astronomer at Mount Wilson Observatory, Calif., from 1914 to 1921. At Mount Wilson Dr. Shapley had used variable stars and globular star clusters to fix position of solar system at some 30 000 light years from center of Milky Way galaxy. Previously earth and sun had been supposed near center of Milky Way galaxy. Finding had had immense scientific value and import for religious thought and philosophy. After World War II, Dr. Shapley shifted attention from scientific pursuits to public affairs. He had condemned cold war of 1940s and championed peaceful coexistence among nations of world. His advocacy of U.S.-U.S.S.R. friendship had led to his censure by House Un-American Activities Committee. Before retirement in 1952, Dr. Shapley had received 18 honorary degrees, many awards-including Pope Pius XI Prize in 1941-and had published more than 500 writings. (Weil, W Post, 10/21/72, B6; NYT, 10/21/72, 1)
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